Paula Knoph
My name is Paula Knoph and I was born in Cork City in Ireland. I come from a large, working class family; the second from the youngest in a family of 14. My mother passed away when I was 4 and due to the lack of employment opportunities, my father was forced to make a decision that would effect the entire family. He applied for a job in England in a car factory and when he obtained housing, he, along with the four youngest children, started a new life in England.
I had a happy childhood even though money was tight. My dad would save change in jars so that we could go back to Ireland on vacation every couple of years.
I enjoyed school and did very well. In high school, I continued my success and during my junior year, I decided that nursing would be my career of choice. I had everything planned out. I would take my "O" levels in high school, go to a community college to get my "A" levels and once that was completed, apply to nursing school and become a registered nurse specializing in Pediatrics. That was the way it was supposed to be until life intervened. When I was 16, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away 6 months before I was due to graduate from high school. My siblings decided that my younger brother and I, still being minors, should return to Ireland and live with one of them and their family. Upon hearing this, my headmaster called me into his office and informed me that he and his family were willing to open their home to me so that I could stay in England and finish my education and return to Ireland once I had graduated. Although my family and I were touched by such a generous offer, we declined and we relocated back to Ireland.
I enrolled in a high school in Ireland and attempted to finish my education as planned, however due to the differences in curriculum and teaching methods, I began to fall behind and became discouraged, so I decided to drop out. Looking back, I really wish I had remained in England. The opportunity for success was right in front of me; I just didn't fight hard enough for it.
I moved back to England in my twenties. I worked in sales and met my husband who was in the U.S. Air Force. We moved to America when our children were young sons. When our boys started school, I worked during the day and my husband went to school at night. Once he graduated with his degree, I had to stop working in order to care for my ailing father in law. I cared for him at home for two years, until he passed away. With my boys in school and my husband at work, I was at a loss as what to do next. Without a diploma, employment opportunities were limited. I applied to a local nursing home that was offering free classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. I jumped at the chance because a high school diploma was not required. I passed the class and have been employed at the facility for the past 8 years. I enjoy my job but I would like to further my career and I would have to attend college in order to achieve this.
My eldest son graduated from high school in 2007 and I obtained my G.E.D. at the same time. My youngest son is a junior in high school and I feel that it is now my time to chase my dream of a college education and to be able to achieve this on-line would be convenient because I would still be available to my family. I would use the degree for employment in the field of physical therapy or speech therapy to assist stroke victims. My opportunity for success is once again right in front of me. This time, however, I am going for it and at the age of 43, I am ready for a the challenge.